Your video has helped me with what I think is a defective damper actuator on my Venmar. Here is my problem. Once the actuator closes the damper doors, the actuator motor continues to run and makes a "thumping" noise. I'm wondering what is suppose to turn the actuator motor off once the damper door is closed? I'm wondering if there isn't some kind of sensor inside the actuator that shuts it down once it senses resistance due to the damper being closed? Any insights would be appreciate. THX!
@TexasChance58 The thumping you indicate is a dead give away that the damper actuator assembly needs replacing. My previous actuator exhibited the same behavior... It's due to internal gears being worn/stripped.
@PowerinMN Thanks for the quick response. I have ordered the damper actuator from Dakota Supply. The price has increased significantly - $94 - but still a bit less than any I could find on line. Thank you for your help!
@TexasChance58 You bet. $94 is still a heck of a lot less expensive than a service call. Also, HVAC contractors markup the parts. Once quoted me $150 just for the assembly alone. Plus, there's something to be said (e.g. bragging rights) when you can fix it yourself. You'll see how easy it is. :-)
@PowerInMN Received the actuator assembly yesterday. 1 day delivery from St. Paul to Crosslake, MN...AMAZING! Put it in my Venmar Solo 1.5 and it worked good as new! The only problem I had - which was minor - was getting the coil spring in place. Thanks for your help!
Thank you for this great video. I was looking into my Constructo 2.0 this evening to see why it wasn't running... I noticed that the arm was hanging down and the rotted grommets were sitting on the base of the unit.
With this piece not functioning correctly, will the unit itself not operate? I remember last year being able to see the exchanger working by a slight vibration. It does not seem as if the fans are coming on.
Any suggestions? Thanks from the Minneapolis suburbs!
@kchester1234 You will want to replace the grommets and connect your arms ASAP. If the bypass flap arms do not stay connected, your unit will not defrost properly and it will leak. If your unit is 7-10 years old, I would venture to say your actuator likely needs replacing too.
To "see" the exchanger working, you'll need to make certain the safety bypass switch in the upper-left corner is depressed and turn the unit on. I taped that switch in the depressed position.
@PowerInMN - invaluable information! Thank you so very much for sharing! I'd have ended up with a hefty service call + parts. And, you're right, my unit is 10 years old. I'll follow your recommendation and call Dakota for the replacement parts. Thank goodness for You and Google!
@PowerInMN - This is absolutely awesome! So, while cleaning the filters, I noticed a "stem-like" piece hanging and attached to nowhere. When I pushed on it, it seems to open up a damper up above. Am not sure if this is part of the damper actuator "arm" you're speaking of? Can I reattach the "stem" somewhere or do you feel it would be necessary to replace all? Wow - this has been the MOST helpful video for a non-mechanical Mom!
@browneyes1020 Browneyes, yes that stem, or damper arm, needs to be connected to the damper actuator itself. The actuator has mounted on it, a 2-pronged bracket/arm with grommets which the 2 other stems/arms attach to. Sounds like your rubber grommets rotted like mine did, and need to be replaced. When the grommets rot, the arms disconnect. I'll take a wild guess and say your unit is 7-9 years old. If it is, I recommend spending the $50 to replace the entire actuator assembly like I did.
@browneyes1020 You can see the actuator arm with rotted grommets at around 2:07. The stems link into those two holes on the end. If you have no grommets left, they will not remain linked up.
Thanks for the great video on the Venmar heat exchanger. I have a Venmar unit also and I was cleaning the core last week, I was wondering if that actuator worked or not. I don't seem to be able to find information as to how and when this actuator is supposed to work. What positions should the flapper valves be in and under what conditions ?
How can I make this actuator operate so I can see it working ?...help !
@viper10l I think it would be more beneficial for me to take a video, showing/explaining the damper operation. In a nutshell, it has one function only: to defrost the exchanger during cold weather months. It is triggered via a temperature sensor, activating the damper relay/logic, hence activating the damper actuator assembly. It then bypasses the cold outside air, and passes/recirculates warm inside air through the unit, defrosting it.
I'll make a video and post it tonight. Stay tuned.
@PowerInMN I would also like to see when the dampers should be open/closed. I replaced the actuator, now not sure how to determine if it's working correctly.
thank you again for your help, the big thing yesterday was cleaning the unit beside the clean air intake. although i have vaccumed it regularly in the past, i could see there was stuff welded to the individual blades. this took picking it out with my finger nails and vaccuming it up through the other side! needless to say disgusting, but it worked.
thanks for the help with the video, i got the air filters cleaned and got the core out to soak and clean it. i think it was welded in there because of dead bugs and stuff,,gross, i checked the outside intake air and the screening on it is quite large. it allows large bugs, hornets and wasps into the unit. can i change that to a smaller screen without affecting the operation of the unit. spiders etc., (large ones) also walked in and made huge nests.
@muskoka1720 You can use regular window screen to block off the intake and exhaust vents (I did). I also used window screening for the make-up air vents as well. You may want to check the Venmar's balance if you do screen it off. See: ?v=hRWiux7RPhw
thank you so much, i could nto have done this without all your help. there is no one locally that works on Venmar's so it is do it yourself. my husband is not the mechanical fixit one in our house. but i did ask him to help!!! he held the door open, and his contribution was put a hook up to hold it up so he wouldn't have to do it.....working like a charm now, thanks for posting and getting me started on this
@muskoka1720 You bet. You'll see in my video I also have a hook to hold the door open while performing maintenance. :-) Venmar dealers around here are also slim pickin's, so it's also pretty much DIY.
thank you, mine appears to be stuck!! will try and pull it straight out then, i have cleaned filters, they are easy!. will go and give it a try again. thank you for answering so quickly, i really appreciate it. got it this time, got the core soaking as per instructions, it was hard to get out, i think it was welded in by humidity and dust etc which formed a glue!
thank you, mine appears to be stuck!! will try and pull it straight out then, i have cleaned filters, they are easy!. will go and give it a try again. thank you for answering so quickly, i really appreciate it.
can you tell me how to change the "core" in the Venmar unit? i am having difficulty figuring it out, i change filter and wash it all the time and vaccum unit but don't know how to get the core out, i have the same unit as in the video
@muskoka1720 The large white "core" (which is actually the heat exchanger) simply pulls straight out in my Constructo 2.0. Mine also has 2 charcoal filters.
Great video. I was cleaning mine and one of the damper arms popped out and I lost the grommet too. I checked for manuals, but none found. Your video show me how the arm is suppose to go. Thanks.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I will have to check my damper assembly too.
Judging by the number of views, lots of people are interested in repairing these units themselves so I will make a video later this month on replacing the blower motor. If some people here have had the motors fail, please have a look at nlcpr.com/VenmarWarning.php . I think there are a lot of quality control issues with these units and Venmar needs to get their act together.
@nlcpr001 Good point on the recalls. Mine wasn't affected, but folks should check their unit serial #'s to see if theirs are part of the recall group.
Awesome video. Thanks so much. I was able to see how your actuator was setup. I believe my spring was in backwards which was causing the lower(outside) air damper to remain open.
Hey Power in MN. I am also having issues with my venamr air exchanger. I am in the twin cities. Can you tell me the vendor where you were able to purchase the parts for the damper accuator?
I purchased the part from Dakota Supply in St. Paul. They're the (only!) authorized Venmar genuine factory parts distributor in the US... It's where the HVAC contractors get their parts, and charge you $120!
If you have the Constructo, the actuator assembly P/N is 13734. Mine was $50 or so. Comes with the silicone arm grommets, arm, bracket, wiring, etc.
Their # is 651-224-5781. Call ahead because I had to wait a week for them to stock/order the part.
Hi, thanks for posting the video on the Venmar Constructo. I opened mine up today to clean the filters and noticed the actuator arm was broken, much like yours in the video. I've been trying to find somewhere online to purchase the replacement parts. Can you give me the website address for the online sellers you looked at? Thanks.
Your video has helped me with what I think is a defective damper actuator on my Venmar. Here is my problem. Once the actuator closes the damper doors, the actuator motor continues to run and makes a "thumping" noise. I'm wondering what is suppose to turn the actuator motor off once the damper door is closed? I'm wondering if there isn't some kind of sensor inside the actuator that shuts it down once it senses resistance due to the damper being closed? Any insights would be appreciate. THX!
TexasChance58 1 month ago
@TexasChance58 The thumping you indicate is a dead give away that the damper actuator assembly needs replacing. My previous actuator exhibited the same behavior... It's due to internal gears being worn/stripped.
PowerInMN 1 month ago
@PowerinMN Thanks for the quick response. I have ordered the damper actuator from Dakota Supply. The price has increased significantly - $94 - but still a bit less than any I could find on line. Thank you for your help!
TexasChance58 1 month ago
@TexasChance58 You bet. $94 is still a heck of a lot less expensive than a service call. Also, HVAC contractors markup the parts. Once quoted me $150 just for the assembly alone. Plus, there's something to be said (e.g. bragging rights) when you can fix it yourself. You'll see how easy it is. :-)
PowerInMN 1 month ago
@PowerInMN Received the actuator assembly yesterday. 1 day delivery from St. Paul to Crosslake, MN...AMAZING! Put it in my Venmar Solo 1.5 and it worked good as new! The only problem I had - which was minor - was getting the coil spring in place. Thanks for your help!
TexasChance58 1 month ago
Thanks for the great info! Where did you get the part from? I am having the same issue.
Spoons2011 3 months ago
@Spoons2011 Look at one of my first comments...
PowerInMN 1 month ago
Thank you for this great video. I was looking into my Constructo 2.0 this evening to see why it wasn't running... I noticed that the arm was hanging down and the rotted grommets were sitting on the base of the unit.
With this piece not functioning correctly, will the unit itself not operate? I remember last year being able to see the exchanger working by a slight vibration. It does not seem as if the fans are coming on.
Any suggestions? Thanks from the Minneapolis suburbs!
kchester1234 3 months ago
@kchester1234 You will want to replace the grommets and connect your arms ASAP. If the bypass flap arms do not stay connected, your unit will not defrost properly and it will leak. If your unit is 7-10 years old, I would venture to say your actuator likely needs replacing too.
To "see" the exchanger working, you'll need to make certain the safety bypass switch in the upper-left corner is depressed and turn the unit on. I taped that switch in the depressed position.
PowerInMN 3 months ago
@PowerInMN - invaluable information! Thank you so very much for sharing! I'd have ended up with a hefty service call + parts. And, you're right, my unit is 10 years old. I'll follow your recommendation and call Dakota for the replacement parts. Thank goodness for You and Google!
browneyes1020 3 months ago
@PowerInMN - This is absolutely awesome! So, while cleaning the filters, I noticed a "stem-like" piece hanging and attached to nowhere. When I pushed on it, it seems to open up a damper up above. Am not sure if this is part of the damper actuator "arm" you're speaking of? Can I reattach the "stem" somewhere or do you feel it would be necessary to replace all? Wow - this has been the MOST helpful video for a non-mechanical Mom!
browneyes1020 3 months ago
@browneyes1020 Browneyes, yes that stem, or damper arm, needs to be connected to the damper actuator itself. The actuator has mounted on it, a 2-pronged bracket/arm with grommets which the 2 other stems/arms attach to. Sounds like your rubber grommets rotted like mine did, and need to be replaced. When the grommets rot, the arms disconnect. I'll take a wild guess and say your unit is 7-9 years old. If it is, I recommend spending the $50 to replace the entire actuator assembly like I did.
PowerInMN 3 months ago
@browneyes1020 You can see the actuator arm with rotted grommets at around 2:07. The stems link into those two holes on the end. If you have no grommets left, they will not remain linked up.
PowerInMN 3 months ago
Hi,
Thanks for the great video on the Venmar heat exchanger. I have a Venmar unit also and I was cleaning the core last week, I was wondering if that actuator worked or not. I don't seem to be able to find information as to how and when this actuator is supposed to work. What positions should the flapper valves be in and under what conditions ?
How can I make this actuator operate so I can see it working ?...help !
Hope to hear from you thanks,
viper10l 4 months ago
@viper10l I think it would be more beneficial for me to take a video, showing/explaining the damper operation. In a nutshell, it has one function only: to defrost the exchanger during cold weather months. It is triggered via a temperature sensor, activating the damper relay/logic, hence activating the damper actuator assembly. It then bypasses the cold outside air, and passes/recirculates warm inside air through the unit, defrosting it.
I'll make a video and post it tonight. Stay tuned.
PowerInMN 4 months ago
@PowerInMN I would also like to see when the dampers should be open/closed. I replaced the actuator, now not sure how to determine if it's working correctly.
chetlet 3 months ago
@chetlet I'll post a video soon. It has to be quite cold outside in order to trigger the damper actuator.
PowerInMN 3 months ago
thank you again for your help, the big thing yesterday was cleaning the unit beside the clean air intake. although i have vaccumed it regularly in the past, i could see there was stuff welded to the individual blades. this took picking it out with my finger nails and vaccuming it up through the other side! needless to say disgusting, but it worked.
muskoka1720 4 months ago
thanks for the help with the video, i got the air filters cleaned and got the core out to soak and clean it. i think it was welded in there because of dead bugs and stuff,,gross, i checked the outside intake air and the screening on it is quite large. it allows large bugs, hornets and wasps into the unit. can i change that to a smaller screen without affecting the operation of the unit. spiders etc., (large ones) also walked in and made huge nests.
muskoka1720 4 months ago
@muskoka1720 You can use regular window screen to block off the intake and exhaust vents (I did). I also used window screening for the make-up air vents as well. You may want to check the Venmar's balance if you do screen it off. See: ?v=hRWiux7RPhw
PowerInMN 4 months ago
thank you so much, i could nto have done this without all your help. there is no one locally that works on Venmar's so it is do it yourself. my husband is not the mechanical fixit one in our house. but i did ask him to help!!! he held the door open, and his contribution was put a hook up to hold it up so he wouldn't have to do it.....working like a charm now, thanks for posting and getting me started on this
muskoka1720 4 months ago
@muskoka1720 You bet. You'll see in my video I also have a hook to hold the door open while performing maintenance. :-) Venmar dealers around here are also slim pickin's, so it's also pretty much DIY.
PowerInMN 4 months ago
thank you, mine appears to be stuck!! will try and pull it straight out then, i have cleaned filters, they are easy!. will go and give it a try again. thank you for answering so quickly, i really appreciate it. got it this time, got the core soaking as per instructions, it was hard to get out, i think it was welded in by humidity and dust etc which formed a glue!
muskoka1720 4 months ago
thank you, mine appears to be stuck!! will try and pull it straight out then, i have cleaned filters, they are easy!. will go and give it a try again. thank you for answering so quickly, i really appreciate it.
muskoka1720 4 months ago
can you tell me how to change the "core" in the Venmar unit? i am having difficulty figuring it out, i change filter and wash it all the time and vaccum unit but don't know how to get the core out, i have the same unit as in the video
muskoka1720 4 months ago
@muskoka1720 The large white "core" (which is actually the heat exchanger) simply pulls straight out in my Constructo 2.0. Mine also has 2 charcoal filters.
PowerInMN 4 months ago
Great video. I was cleaning mine and one of the damper arms popped out and I lost the grommet too. I checked for manuals, but none found. Your video show me how the arm is suppose to go. Thanks.
fchow8888 5 months ago
Nice, I have the exact same problem with a different model, where did you find the part no?
dschwake1 5 months ago
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I will have to check my damper assembly too.
Judging by the number of views, lots of people are interested in repairing these units themselves so I will make a video later this month on replacing the blower motor. If some people here have had the motors fail, please have a look at nlcpr.com/VenmarWarning.php . I think there are a lot of quality control issues with these units and Venmar needs to get their act together.
nlcpr001 1 year ago
@nlcpr001 Good point on the recalls. Mine wasn't affected, but folks should check their unit serial #'s to see if theirs are part of the recall group.
PowerInMN 1 year ago
Awesome video. Thanks so much. I was able to see how your actuator was setup. I believe my spring was in backwards which was causing the lower(outside) air damper to remain open.
tcmc72x 1 year ago
@tcmc72x You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful :)
PowerInMN 1 year ago
I had the same problems and got it fixed myself.........thanks for the info
nmlkzobl6916 1 year ago
Hey Power in MN. I am also having issues with my venamr air exchanger. I am in the twin cities. Can you tell me the vendor where you were able to purchase the parts for the damper accuator?
Thanks for the help!
SPIc2c 1 year ago
@SPIc2c
I purchased the part from Dakota Supply in St. Paul. They're the (only!) authorized Venmar genuine factory parts distributor in the US... It's where the HVAC contractors get their parts, and charge you $120!
If you have the Constructo, the actuator assembly P/N is 13734. Mine was $50 or so. Comes with the silicone arm grommets, arm, bracket, wiring, etc.
Their # is 651-224-5781. Call ahead because I had to wait a week for them to stock/order the part.
Hope that helps!
PowerInMN 1 year ago
@PowerInMN
Hi, thanks for posting the video on the Venmar Constructo. I opened mine up today to clean the filters and noticed the actuator arm was broken, much like yours in the video. I've been trying to find somewhere online to purchase the replacement parts. Can you give me the website address for the online sellers you looked at? Thanks.
tayy24 1 year ago
@tayy24 Dakota Supply is the authorized Venmar parts distributor in the US (as I mentioned in the previous comment reply). Google is your friend.
You're very welcome!
PowerInMN 1 year ago